CITY T.B. CAMPAIGN

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29801, 18 April 1962, Page 14

CITY T.B. CAMPAIGN

92 Disease Cases Found

Ninety-two cases of serious diseases requiring immediate treatment were found during the Christchurch city tuberculosis X-ray campaign the deputy medical officer of health (Dr. F. A. de Hamel) said yesterday. The campaign was held from July to December last year. In all, 51.022 persons presented themselves to be photographed, which was “a jolly good show.' as they represented about half that section of the population which was eligible and available, said Dr. de Hamel. Children had not been examined, while some adults had been unable to attend for various fully acceptable reasons.

The major disease cases discovered were cue of bone tumour, one of a congenital heart condition, seven of lung cancer, two of hydatids, 16 of pneumonia, 36 of chronic non-tuberculosis lung disease, three of pneumoconiosis, seven of sarcoidosis and 19 of active adult-type tuberculosis. In addition, the.-e were 20 cases of tuberculosis which might require treatment in the future and needed present close supervision, and many minor abnormalities, some requiring early treatment. About 100 healed cases of tuberculosis were noted, the relatively large numbers probably being a carry-over from the time when the disease was much more common than now.

The number of lung cancer cases found, representing 1.4 per cent, per 10,000 of those examined, indicated a rising incidence of this disease.